Herbs elevate any ordinary dish to an exceptional level, and basil with its distinct aroma and health benefits is surely a wonder herb.  Robust and bursting with flavour, basil pesto coats the pasta in this recipe and every bite will make you happy.

Cuisine                                   Preparation Time                            Serves                    Type
Italian                                           30 Minutes                                          2                          Veg

Ingredients

FOR PESTO

2 ½ cups of fresh basil leaves
½ cup parmesan
6 tbsp Basil Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 garlic clove
Salt and pepper

FOR PASTA

350 G Pasta of choice
2 tsp salt
¾ cup water for cooking pasta
Parmesan for serving

Preparation
FOR MAKING PESTO

Place all the ingredients on a blender and blitz until smooth paste is obtained.
Pour the olive oil and blitz.

FOR MAKING PASTA

Boil the water with salt.
Add pasta and cook as required.
Just before draining take 1 cup of pasta cooked water.
Drain the water and transfer the pasta in a bowl.
Add the pesto and ¼ cup of pesto water. Toss well to cover the pasta adding more water if required.
Serve immediately; garnished with parmesan.

KITCHEN TIPS

Toss the pasta in a separate bowl, not in the pot you cooked the pasta. Basil does not like heat and turns black with heat.
Salt the water. The best way to season pesto pasta is to salt the water.
De not reheat the once prepared pasta. Again – black basil & black pesto!